Contact: Marion Horsley, 804/225-3820
VIRGINIA OFFICIALS
REVIEW PREVENTION, ERADICATION PLANS IN CASE OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
Although the United States has been free of foot and mouth disease (FMD) since 1929, the recent outbreak in the United Kingdom and France brought Virginia officials together March 19, 2001 in Richmond to review plans to prevent the introduction and spread of this highly contagious livestock disease.
According to J. Carlton Courter III, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Surveillance of communicable animal diseases is part of our day-in and day-out job, but we took this opportunity to meet with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and state agencies that would be affected in the event foot and mouth disease appears in Virginia.”
Because the disease can spread so quickly, participants at the meeting emphasized the importance of an immediate response to any signs of foot and mouth disease in the Commonwealth. The group also determined that support from individuals, farmers and producers is essential to preventing the disease.
Current, on-going prevention efforts by the Department include inspecting livestock markets; working with buying stations, markets and producers; supplying disease and bio-security information to farmers, producers and veterinarians; and training staff in diagnosing foreign animal diseases. At the Federal level, officials at ports of entry inspect the baggage of all travelers who indicate they have been on a farm or in contact with livestock, confiscate any ruminant or swine products and require returning travelers to disinfect footwear.
Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer. It does not affect humans, nor does it affect the food supply. Fully cooked meats remain safe to eat. The major symptom of foot and mouth disease infection is the production of vesicles or blisters on the mouth, tongue, nose or snout, teats and feet. Other symptoms include drooling and a reluctance to bear weight on their feet. Diseased animals run fevers, lose their appetites, stop producing milk and become very lame. Foot and mouth disease can cause death in affected animals, especially newborns.
Because it can be spread by animals, people or materials that bring the virus into contact with susceptible animals, and because the virus can survive for as long as a month, foot and
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mouth disease is the most contagious animal disease. There are several strains of the virus as well as many sub-types so, although vaccines exist, they are not considered an effective remedy.
Although the virus can survive outside the body of an animal, it is susceptible to destruction by heat, drying and acids or bases. One of the simplest methods for disinfecting objects is to use vinegar (acetic acid), sodium hydroxide (lye) or a bleach solution of one ounce of household bleach per gallon of water. Wash or dry-clean clothes.
Here is a list of guidelines to help prevent foot and mouth disease in Virginia:
1. Discourage farm visits; restrict entry of visitors to farms.
2. Disinfect shoes and clothing before entering a farm, sale site or production facility and again after leaving.
3. Wash tires of vehicles before entering and after leaving animal areas, farms or production facilities.
4. Immediately report any unusual or suspicious signs of disease to Virginia or USDA veterinary officials.
5. Anyone who has been on a farm or in contact with animals in an FMD-infected country should launder or dry clean their clothes and thoroughly disinfect their shoes before returning to the US. They should also avoid contact with any livestock or exotic animals for at least 5 days after their return to the US.
6. Be sure that any new or used farm equipment that may have been imported from a country with the disease is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
7. No uncooked meat or non-disinfected animal products should be brought into the US from FMD-infected countries. If you are uncertain about a bringing in a certain product, tell the Customs agent or USDA agent at the airport upon your arrival and they will advise you.
8. Do not allow anyone to send you uncooked meat or non-disinfected animal products from an FMD-infected country.
9. Never feed any meat or other food scraps that originated in a foreign country to any livestock in this country.
For additional information about foot and mouth disease, refer to these Web sites:
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services www.vdacs.state.va.us
U.S. Department of Agriculture www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/index.html
The AVIS Consortium http://aleffgroup.com/avisfmd/index.html.
USDA has established a toll-free telephone center to respond to questions from the public, industry and media about foot and mouth disease. The number is 1-800-601-9327.
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